My name is Monica Wong, MSW, RSW, HBCE, I am a clinical counsellor who specializes in counselling and hypnotherapy. I am also a certified HypnoBirthing® and HypnoMothering® instructor in Calgary. Whether you’re looking for help individually, as a couple or family, you will be greeted with kindness and compassion and leave our sessions with hope, confidence and tools to carry on in life.

Hypnotherapy

My approach and therapy modality is tailored to your needs. My specialization, for those who seek it, is hypnotherapy . This is a field I have dedicated myself to learning, teaching and becoming a part of (I currently sit on the board for the Canadian Federation of Clinical hypnosis in Alberta). I utilize hypnosis for mental health, fertility, birth and post-partum.

Counselling

What ever your struggles are, I am here to help. My goal is to work myself out of a job so you have all you need to handle current and future challenges. I have successfully seen clients go from anxious and depressed to happy and confident. I tailor my counselling to your unique needs and welcome the opportunity to chat with you today about how I can help you! Contact me for your free consultation!

HypnoBirthing

Are you looking for a childbirth education class that will educate and empower you to have a confident, calm and positive birthing experience? OCH is your place for HypnoBirthing in Calgary! I have used HypnoBirthing myself and been blessed to help others couples create positive birth experiences. Click here to Read my Client’s Empowering Birth Stories.

Post-Partum

Do you worry about lack of sleep or the stress that having a baby can create? OCH is the only place in Alberta and Calgary that offers HypnoMothering! The workshop offers support, techniques and audio tracks to help with anxiety, stress, lack of sleep, bonding with baby and more. If baby is here and you’re struggling, you have the option of taking a post-natal HypnoMothering workshop. Counselling is also here to help if you’re struggling with baby blues or postpartum depression.

There’s no need to feel alone in your struggles. Reach out for help and help will be there. I welcome the opportunity to chat with you today about how I can help you! Contact Monica for your free consultation!

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HypnoBirthing®

Counseling

Hypnosis

About

Contact

Expectations of Counselling

The first visit and forward...

Once you arrive in our cozy downtown Calgary office, you should expect a great counselling experience. The first few minutes of your time at OCH will involve reviewing important paperwork and topics like confidentiality and informed consent. The remainder of your time will be spent discussing what brought you to counselling, what your goals and how to first go about accomplishing them. By the end of the session, the objective is for you to feel comfortable with the counsellor, counselling process and gain a sense of confidence that you have taken one step closer to achieving your therapeutic goals.

Future sessions will be focused on your overall counselling goal. You will also have the freedom to bring up other pertinent topics that would be helpful for us to concentrate on. My job is to work collaboratively with you, in part by discussing and offering different perspectives and ideas of how to accomplish your goals.

Together through our counselling, we will gain a sense of understanding of what contributes to your challenges, what your unhelpful patterns of thinking and interacting are and how to change them. You will learn to create positive patterns and to access the resources you need to take steps to accomplish and maintain your desired changes. We will work together to help you achieve your goals and create a healthier happier future, in part by doing, feeling and being better.

It was nice meeting...I feel so much better even after one session. I think this is going to be really good!! I can't wait to get it [the hypnosis recording].

Relationships

Premarital Counselling

Do you ever wonder what happened when you hear
a couple married for many years is heading for
divorce court? How much time did they spend on
planning their marriage versus their wedding
day? Would the outcome of their marriage have
been different if they sat down and learned
what their strengths are as couple and what
areas could’ve contributed to distress in
their relationship? Premarital counselling can
help shed light on some of these questions.

Premarital counselling is one of the best
things you can do for the longevity of your
relationship! Once you have determined you are
in a relationship you want for the long term,
take a moment and learn how to strengthen your
relationship. Find out what your challenging
areas are. Discover if you both have enough
common values, goals and communication tools
to help you through the challenging
times. Learn not only to deal with differences
and disagreements, but to also take the time
to celebrate and recognize the positive
qualities in each other and your relationship.

The more connections you and your lover
make, not just between your bodies, but
between your minds, your hearts, and your
souls, the more you will strengthen the
fabric of your relationship, and the more
real moments you will experience together.

- Barbara de Angelis

Couples Counselling and Relationship Distress

Does it seem like you and your partner
argue about the same things over and over
and go nowhere? Do you find it stressful
and emotionally draining at times to be
with your partner and want to be able to
work through the challenges? There is
hope. Couples counselling can help with the
relationship distress that you are having.
Navigating a relationship can be
like going on a lovely hike to a beautiful
secluded spot; the hike has various places
that are harder then others, and each
person has their own way of navigating
those paths. Throughout the hike you are
working towards something very special;
the knowledge you have of the path, your
expectations, planning, pattern of being
and doing all impact the journey. We need
to take the time to understand what our
realistic needs and wants are in the
relationship and if our partner and the
relationship are able to meet those
needs. Couples counselling invites you to do
some self-exploration, to learn why
unhealthy patterns start and continue, how
to stop them and create healthier patterns
of interacting and being with each other.

Family Distress

Do you find yourself constantly
arguing with your family member(s)? Do
you find there is a general lack of
respect, peace and comfort at home
and/or when you are around family? No
matter if you are fighting with a
family member you live with or one
that is outside your home, engaging in
a unhealthy family relationship can be
a struggle and at times it can even
impact your daily life. At Ohana
Counseling you can learn how to
function as a healthy family. Learn
what gets in the way of your desired
goals and what are your unhealthy
patterns of being and relating
are. Learn how to create healthy ways
of communicating your needs and wishes
with each other so that each person
feels respected, heard and cared for.

Everything that irritates us about others
can lead us to an understanding of
ourselves.

- Carl Jung

Divorce

Are you heading for divorce or recently
divorced? Divorce often evokes complex
emotions and multiple changes. One day you
might feel great, enjoying the freedom of
being single, another day you may feel
depressed and/or angry. Perhaps you may
experience multiple feelings all at once or
maybe you are completely numb. What ever you
are or aren’t feeling, the fact is life as you
know it has changed, and now its time to start
a new life. What will that look like? What
does it mean now that you are divorced? What
changes will have to be made for yourself and,
if you have children, for them? Like any loss
and change; it is important to recognize how
you feel and the impact change is having on
you. Take time for yourself; learn how to
adjust to the ‘new normal’. Together we will
identify strategies to help get you through
the tough days, to adjust to the new normal
and to work towards a brighter and better
tomorrow.

Singlehood

Have you ever been described as non-committal?
Unlucky in love? The revolving door of
relationships? Don't let yourself be a victim
of Singlehood. If you find yourself repeatedly
in and out of relationships or have trouble
getting into and maintaining a serious healthy
relationship and want to know why, then stop,
take a moment and learn. Understand yourself,
your patterns, boundaries, your past
relationships and what they say about you,
what you want and feel you deserve. Discover
and reaffirm what your values are and what it
would take for you to find that partner that
compliments you (not completes, as you are
complete on your own). Take time for yourself
and discover and what you would like your
future relationship to look like and how to
work on creating and maintaining a healthy
relationship, with yourself and a partner.

When we are unable to find tranquility within ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere.

- François de la Rochefoucauld

You do not need to be loved, not at the
cost of yourself. The single relationship
that is truly central and crucial in a
life is the relationship to the self. Of
all the people you will know in a
lifetime, you are the only one you will
never lose.

- Jo Courdert

Mental Health

Stress

Do you constantly feel stressed in certain
environments and/or around certain people? Do
you constantly feel stressed? A certain degree
of stress is normal and necessary; it can be
utilized as a motivator to propel you
forward. It can be managed and isn’t an issue
if it doesn’t impact your ability to function
in a healthy manner. If however, you find
stress impacting your quality of sleep,
relationships, job, or overall health, then
it’s important to seek guidance on how to curb
and manage your stress and how you react to
it. Learn (if you don’t know all ready) what
contributes to your stress level, how to
manage and minimize it and how to utilize it
so it works for you.

Depression

Do you find you have low energy and little
or no motivation? Are you critical of
yourself and your future? Do you find you
want to sleep most of the day? Do you feel
helpless and/or hopeless? Have you had
suicidal thoughts? There are many factors
that could contribute to your depression
starting and continuing, such as negative
thoughts (psychological), unhealthy
relationships (social) and chemical
imbalances (biological). No matter how
often or when you feel depressed, it’s
important to know there is hope and life
can get better.

At OCH you will learn what contributes to
your depression, how to create healthy
internal and external environments, coping
and problem-solving skills and how to be
aware of the red flags so as not to sink
back into depression. In counseling you
are not judged and allowed to just be; you
will have someone invested in your well
being who will work with you to create a
clear and concrete plan for a brighter and
better future.

*If you are suicidal and have plans to end
your life, it is important to seek help
IMMEDIATELY!
Immediate help can be reached by calling
911 or the Distress Centre’s 24-hour
Hotline at 403.266.HELP (4357).
You can also call the Sheldon Chumir at 403.955.6200.

Anxiety

Do you find yourself constantly worrying
about what could happen to you, your
future, and/or your loved ones? Are you
afraid of the unpredictable and/or afraid
of what you predict may happen? Does
you’re anxiety cause you to feel
physically ill? At times anxiety can
impact where you decide to go, who you
socialize with, how you feel about your
ability to handle situations and how you
choose to live your life.

Experiencing anxiety is not a problem; it
is a normal part of life. It can be a
problem however, when it holds you back
from accomplishing your goals and
functioning fully in a healthy
manner. Learn how to realistically assess
the risks you face and your resources
and/or abilities you have to handle those
risks. Learn how to work through your
anxiety, what to do about it and in some
circumstances, eliminate it all
together. Learn to manage and use your
anxiety in a way that it works for and not
against you.

Thought you should know that my anxiety
about my exams is greatly reduced! I
studied but not panicked! I know the
test will be challenging but I will get
through it. Thanks for the hypnosis, it is
helpful!…it is a great skill! I look
forward to playing the recoding again
sometime to practice more…

Trauma

Have you experienced a traumatic event(s)?
Do you sometimes have feelings of not
being in your body and/or not being fully
present? Are you highly anxious and find
you can be triggered by certain
people/sounds/environments/ sensations? Do
you have intrusive thoughts and/or dreams
and at times relive your trauma? Do you
find yourself successful but still feel
there is a part of you that suffers?

Whatever symptoms you are experiencing,
there is help and there is hope. Traumatic
events can motivate us to do and be
better, they can also become a roadblock
to having a healthy and happy life. Ohana
Counseling is a welcoming, safe,
non-judgmental environment for you to be
authentically you. Learn your triggers and
how you process and react to them. Learn
how to deal with your triggers in a
healthy manner. You are not your trauma,
nor is your trauma you. Learn how move
forward after a traumatic event and how to
begin to create a brighter, better happier
and healthier future.

Loss and grief

Have you recently lost a loved one? A job? A
pet? A social circle? A relationship? Whatever
loss you have experienced it’s important to
take time; time to work through your emotions
and the changes the come with the loss. Grief
is a normal reaction to a loss and can be
accompanied by many complex emotions. It can
also be accompanied at times by a disturbance
in sleep and appetite, and a ability to
concentrate, for example. Grief is highly
personal and each person has his or her own
way of dealing with loss. Discover how to move
through the grief, how life can go on and a
new normal can begin to emerge.

Personal growth

Self-esteem & Confidence

Are you constantly criticizing yourself and/or
lack confidence? Do you feel that no matter
what you accomplish it’s not good enough? Do
have a hard time standing up for yourself and
what you want? Do you struggle with
boundaries? Low self-esteem can show itself in
many ways and in many areas. Various factors
may impact our self-esteem and
confidence. Areas of influence may include our
family-of-origin, relationships, environments,
work, internal dialogue and a disconnect
between our goals and values and how we live
our life. Ohana Counseling is a safe,
non-judgmental caring place for you to be
authentically you. Learn what factors get in
the way of your self-esteem and
self-confidence being where you want it to
be. Learn how to improve your self-esteem and
self-confidence, how to create firm healthy
boundaries and relationships and how be more
assertive. You can learn how to be more
confident and stand up for yourself, your
values and what is truly important to you. At
OCH you can create the change you wish to see;
take the time to explore and celebrate who you
are and what you have to offer.

Perfectionism

Do you find yourself feeling everything needs
to be just right, perfect? Do you find your need
for perfectionism impacting your relationships or
job, or perhaps it even gets in the way of
accomplishing your goals or finishing a task?
Aiming high and doing well is a good thing;
however, when you desire perfectionism all the
time for everything, you are setting yourself, and
others, up for failure. A feeling of failure can
create negative emotions about ourselves, our
future and others. Redefine your values, goals and
definition of success. Learn what fuels the desire
to be perfect, and how to have high standards
without being overtly critical of yourself or
others. Learn how to be happy with being perfectly
imperfect and imperfectly perfect.

Life changes

Have you come to a crossroads in life? Do you
find that each day blends into another and you
want more? Do you want to grow personally and
professionally? Rediscover what excites you, how
your values, hopes and aspirations speak to which
road to travel. Learn how to grow and become
authentically you, authentically living and
working towards a better and brighter future that
inspires and excites.

Overall health

Pain management

Does constant pain make life more
challenging or at times seemingly
unbearable? Medication can bring relief,
as well as some unwelcome side
effects. Ever wonder if there is a way to
manage pain without medication? There is!
Much research has been done on the use of
hypnosis to treat pain
effectively. Through Ohana Counseling you
are able to speak to how pain impacts your
life and the change you wish to
see. Hypnosis can help you learn how to
manage and in some cases eliminate the
sensation of pain all together. At OCH
learn to live a life full of more comfort
and peace.

Before seeking help for the use of
hypnosis for pain management it is
important to have first consulted with
your doctor

Physical Health: Weight issues & Smoking cessation

Do you find yourself over-eating? Or do
you discover by the end of the day you’ve
hardly eaten a bite? Do you find yourself
lighting up yet another cigarette in the
cold Calgary weather and wondering, is
this worth it? If you engage in unhealthy
behaviour, such as overeating and smoking,
there are many ‘diets’ and ‘treatments’
available. If you are interested in
finding a natural way of being healthy,
without having to engage in a fad diet or
a nicotine patch, then look no further.

To be healthy, one has to think healthy,
and utilize their inner resources to
tackle their goals. Hypnosis can be an
effective way to work through your
roadblocks; you can learn to think, do and
be healthier. Hypnosis is a part of the
Ohana Counseling process; here you
discover what contributes to your
unhealthy patterns, how to change them and
create healthier ways of being. Together
we can work towards better overall health,
physically, emotionally and
psychologically.

The hypnosis session helped me cut down
immensely to one smoke a day!…I haven't bought a
pack since our session!

Work-life balance

Ever notice that even professional jugglers
don’t necessarily balance everything all the time?
Sometimes there are objects in the air, two
objects in one hand, and one in another. Do you
ever feel like a juggler on a unicycle with too
many objects? Want to learn how to choose what’s
important to juggle, when and how? Or perhaps you
don’t want to juggle at all. Learn how to choose
what deserves your time and when. Gain a sense of
peace with how your life is going, explore more
about yourself, your values, goals, schedules and
what your ideal life would look like. Redefine
your work/life balancing act and learn when you
need to sit down and take a moment for what’s
really important. The next time you have a lot to
juggle, you will have chosen the amount and the
quality. You will learn how to effectively manage
your time and know when you need to stop, take a
moment and breath.

Spiritual health

Ever wonder if there is more to life then what
we see? Are you a spiritual or religious
person or a person of no faith who is seeking?
You are not alone in your struggles, nor do
you need to try and handle it all
yourself. You are perfectly imperfect and
imperfectly perfect and God loves you all the
same. When you walk in the sand and see one
set of footprints instead of two, know that it
is than that God is carrying you. Faith based
counseling is available for those seeking and
for those who would like help with not only
their emotional and psychological health but
with their spiritual health as well.

Hypnosis

Mental Health: Can Hypnosis help me?

Hypnosis is helpful for many people. Some are so skilled at
utilizing hypnosis, they can have surgery without anesthesia;
others are able to utilize it for pain relief and others for
relaxation. There are many ways hypnosis can be
helpful. Factors that can impact the quality of your
experience with hypnosis range from your past experience,
trust in the hypnotist, hypnotists education (i.e. do they
have a mental health background?), induction techniques used,
environment, etc… It is important to feel comfortable with the
therapist and environment and to give feedback about what
works for you. It’s also important to know that when you find
a therapist who has the proper training, and is a good fit for
you, you can learn to make healthy decisions and work towards
a brighter, healthier and happier future.

Some individuals have experienced hypnosis before and feel
they weren’t hypnotized. Your hypnotizability isn’t
necessarily a stable factor. Most people can experience some
form of hypnosis and have actually gone into trance on their
own without thinking about it (i.e. becoming absorbed into a
task and losing track of time, or driving somewhere and
suddenly realizing you’re at your destination). There are
techniques one can utilize to work on increasing one’s
hypnotizability. Moreover, practicing self-hypnosis can help
you go into hypnosis quicker and deeper each time you practice
it. The more you do hypnosis the easier it is and the quicker
you can learn to relax and access your inner resources and
come to new realizations.

Below are examples of issues hypnosis can help with:

Mental Health: Depression, Anxiety, Trauma & Self-esteem

Physical Health: Weight loss & Smoking cessation

Infertility & Childbirth

Stress management, coping techniques & relaxation

Sleep issues

Phobias

Pain management

Sports performance

Contact
Ohana Counseling
for a free hypnosis recording, for more information on how
hypnosis can help you and to set up an appointment.

Physical Health: Weight issues & Smoking cessation

Do you find yourself over-eating? Or do
you discover by the end of the day you’ve
hardly eaten a bite? Do you find yourself
lighting up yet another cigarette in the
cold Calgary weather and wondering, is
this worth it? If you engage in unhealthy
behaviour, such as overeating and smoking,
there are many ‘diets’ and ‘treatments’
available. If you are interested in
finding a natural way of being healthy,
without having to engage in a fad diet or
a nicotine patch, then look no further.

To be healthy, one has to think healthy,
and utilize their inner resources to
tackle their goals. Hypnosis can be an
effective way to work through your
roadblocks; you can learn to think, do and
be healthier. Hypnosis is a part of the
Ohana Counseling process; here you
discover what contributes to your
unhealthy patterns, how to change them and
create healthier ways of being. Together
we can work towards better overall health,
physically, emotionally and
psychologically.

The hypnosis session helped me cut down
immensely to one smoke a day!…I haven't bought a
pack since our session!

Childbirth: HypnoBirthing®

HypnoBirthing® is both a philosophy and a practice. It
embraces the family from origins and pregnancy to birth
and beyond. The family is encouraged to be informed
parents and to reflect on the birthing experience they
desire and the environment they want to create for their
baby, before, during and after labour.

Through HB women and their partner’s learn how women's
bodies are made to birth. They also learn how fear,
tension and relaxation physiologically and psychologically
impact the sensations women feel during labor and
delivery. Mothers and their birthing companions are taught
how to reach an ultimate state of calm and relaxation, in
part through hypnosis, visualizations and special
breathing techniques, all which can aid in a calmer and
more comfortable birth and delivery. One study found women
taking HypnoBirthing had substantially less epidurals, IV
fluids, fewer C-sections and less babies with low birth
rate.

Counseling Rates

Individual Counseling:
The rate for a 60-minute session is $175. If you choose to pay
for 6 sessions in advance you will receive a 5% discount per
session. On occasion, sliding fees are available upon request.

Couple's Counseling:
The suggested session is 90-minutes which costs $265. A
60-minute session rate is $175. Sliding fee available upon
request.

Free Consultation:
Phone consultations are available Monday-Friday evening and
Saturday afternoons. E-mail
mwong@ohanatherapy.com
today to set up your free consultation!

Insurance Reimbursement:
Many health insurance companies and Employee
assistance programs cover the cost of counseling with a
MSW/RSW. If you are wishing to be reimbursed you must check with
your insurance company/EA program first to see whom they cover,
what your yearly coverage is and if they have any
restrictions. You will be given a receipt at the end of the
counseling session. If you are covered, you can submit the receipt
to your insurance company for reimbursement.

*You can also inquire with your accountant into having
your fee be considered a tax deductible medical
expense. If finances are a concern, you can pay for
your first 3 appointments in one block at a reduced
rate

Positive Results

Thought you should know that my anxiety about my exams is
greatly reduced! I studied but not panicked! I know the
test will be challenging but I will get through it. Thanks
for the hypnosis, it is helpful!…it is a great skill! I
look forward to playing the recoding again sometime to
practice more…

Overall I was far more calm at the beginning of the test
then anticipated…. I used the two hypnosis anchors many
times to calm when I felt myself feel a little
overwhelmed. The 4.25 hours seemed to fly by! So think the
hypnosis worked … “I passed!!!!!!! … Thank you for
helping me to realize my potential all your support, it
means so much to me!

It was nice meeting...I feel so much better even after
one session. I think this is going to be really good!! I
can't wait to get it the hypnosis recording.

It was a pleasure meeting with you…. I can not tell you
how much I enjoyed it. Thank you again...I truly
appreciate it and look forward to having an audio copy of
the hypnosis session so I can keep practicing

The hypnosis session helped me cut down
immensely to one smoke a day!…I haven't bought a
pack since our session!

Although the last session was emotional for me, I am
thankful that, yes, I did gain some clarity into my
concerns... I appreciate your help and guidance through
this process of change for me.

I came to see Monica to help me work through relationship issues with my mom and partner, as well as anxieties about my old boss. She gave me homework or "spas" as she called them, to allow me to further identify underlying issues, to put into action some of the techniques she recommended or to give advice to help me through specific situations. Monica's couselling has been instrumental for all the positive changes I've noticed in myself and these relationships. These sessions have allowed me to create the type of relationships I wanted and has given me the tools to deal with difficult situations in the future.

Monica, I have very much enjoyed my sessions thus far and am hopeful to work with you again in the future, as I am sure I could benefit from hypnosis in other areas of my life. Thank you for your insights and support throughout our time working together.

..we are so glad we took the course and have no regrets!! You helped me get through pregnancy relaxed and with confidence. We knew what to expect throughout the birth and how to approach things calmly. I've already recommended your class...Again thank you so much for everything, we couldn't have done it without you.

Thank you for reaching out to me... I want to share that I am doing really good. Your help this summer was beyond invaluable. On so many levels. As life is not linear, I imagine I will reach out at some point and touch base, but for now - I am on a good path….- thank you, thank you thank you.

...I appreciate that you... made the session very valuable for me, as you have all of the other sessions….The past year has been one of growth and realization for me. You have helped me realize my values and accept myself for who I am and what I need to be living life in the moment and without distraction. I have learned that I am a strongly emotional person who needs connection and safety in other relationships and I accept that my needs are not a requirement of others to fulfill, rather that they supplement what I already have inside of me. I also learned that taking care of what is right in front of me is the most important thing at that moment.
I am happy who I am as a person and what I have to offer. Like the other humans around me, I am also flawed and that's a good thing. I accept myself as I am, as I accept others as they are.I find happiness in that thought.
I will continue to work with my wife in gaining more of an emotional connection, and I know we are getting there….Many thanks, Monica.

I came to Monica after having a difficult practice labour that left me intimidated and in need of a new outlook. Her consultation, words of wisdom, and visualization techniques completely transformed my way of looking at the birth. One week later, I gave birth to our baby girl, and the experience was peaceful, painless and empowering. It was exactly what I had hoped for. I can't thank Monica enough for contributing her skill and wisdom. It truly made all the difference.

What is Hypnosis and how does it work?

Hypnosis can be seen as selective focused attention and
utilizing the power of your mind. However you define it,
hypnosis is the purposeful use of one's mind and thoughts
to manage emotional distress (i.e. anxiety, stress),
physical symptoms (i.e. pain, nausea) or to change habits
or behaviors (i.e. smoking, overeating). This is done, in
part by, creating healthier ways of processing and
addressing events on a deeper and experiential
level. Individuals in hypnosis process information
differently and can access and experience resources and
skills they may not have known how to access otherwise
(Yapko, 2013). Hypnosis is a collaborative process, where
the client and therapist work together to access a
client’s resources in order to help them accomplish their
goals.

Hypnosis has two stages. The first stage could be called
the Induction stage, which is where an individual usually
becomes relaxed and focused. Although a therapist can
guide you in this process, individuals often enter a
trance like state on his or her own (i.e. realizing at the
end of the day you bruised yourself but not remembering
feeling pain or ‘getting in the zone’ where you focus and
may lose track of time and what’s going on around you).

The second stage is the application stage, where the
therapist offers suggestions that are targeted to treat
your specific symptoms or difficulties. In hypnosis the
client is able to respond to suggestions and interventions
on multiple levels, thereby accessing the resources they
need to help accomplish their goal.

The following is an example of what a hypnosis session may address and involve at OCH:
An individual comes to therapy because they are anxious
and stressed about an upcoming event and want to feel more
confident. The therapist will start by asking the client
to discuss the event and what gets in the way of him/her
feeling confident during the event and when he/she may
have felt confident in the past. The therapist will then
break down the steps of how to access relaxation and
confidence and work through the person’s roadblocks (this
may or may not be discussed with the client before
hypnosis.) Hypnosis will then begin. In hypnosis, an
individual may be taken back to a positive experience
where they felt confident. The skills and resources will
be identified (if the client has trouble accessing their
skills or they have not yet been developed, the skills
needed will be taught at this point). The therapist will
then create a suggestion and technique that will help the
client access the desired skills when needed. This stage
will often involve a post-hypnotic suggestion of how to
carry the benefits and learning’s from the session into
the client’s daily life.

Can Hypnosis help me?

Hypnosis is helpful for many people. Some are so skilled at
utilizing hypnosis, they can have surgery without anesthesia;
others are able to utilize it for pain relief and others for
relaxation. There are many ways hypnosis can be
helpful. Factors that can impact the quality of your
experience with hypnosis range from your past experience,
trust in the hypnotist, hypnotists education (i.e. do they
have a mental health background?), induction techniques used,
environment, etc… It is important to feel comfortable with the
therapist and environment and to give feedback about what
works for you. It’s also important to know that when you find
a therapist who has the proper training, and is a good fit for
you, you can learn to make healthy decisions and work towards
a brighter, healthier and happier future.

Some individuals have experienced hypnosis before and feel
they weren’t hypnotized. Your hypnotizability isn’t
necessarily a stable factor. Most people can experience some
form of hypnosis and have actually gone into trance on their
own without thinking about it (i.e. becoming absorbed into a
task and losing track of time, or driving somewhere and
suddenly realizing you’re at your destination). There are
techniques one can utilize to work on increasing one’s
hypnotizability. Moreover, practicing self-hypnosis can help
you go into hypnosis quicker and deeper each time you practice
it. The more you do hypnosis the easier it is and the quicker
you can learn to relax and access your inner resources and
come to new realizations.

Below are examples of issues hypnosis can help with:

Mental Health: Depression, Anxiety, Trauma & Self-esteem

Physical Health: Weight loss & Smoking cessation

Infertility & Childbirth

Stress management, coping techniques & relaxation

Sleep issues

Phobias

Pain management

Sports performance

Contact
Ohana Counseling
for a free hypnosis recording, for more information on how
hypnosis can help you and to set up an appointment.

"
Overall I was far more calm at the beginning of the test
then anticipated…. I used the two hypnosis anchors many
times to calm when I felt myself feel a little
overwhelmed. The 4.25 hours seemed to fly by! So think the
hypnosis worked!
"

Weeks Later

"
I passed!!!!!!! … Thank you for helping me to realize my
potential all your support, it means so much to me!
"

Myths about Hypnosis

Stage shows, TV shows, the media and stories from others
may impact how you view hypnosis. There are often
misconceptions about what hypnosis is and how it can
help. Below are a list of some of the common
misconceptions and facts about hypnosis.

Myth:

The person being hypnotized is under the control
of the hypnotist and can be made to do or say
anything the hypnotist wants

Fact:

No matter how deeply hypnotized you are, you CAN
NOT be made to do anything you do not want to do
or feel uncomfortable with. You are in Full
control when hypnotized and can stop anytime you
wish.

Myth:

Hypnosis is something done to you, versus something you do to yourself

Fact:

All hypnosis is self-hypnosis. With a hypnotist,
you simply have someone to guide you and help you
discover ways work on solving your challenges and
accomplishing your goals. Hypnosis is a skill that
can be learned; you can be taught to utilize
self-hypnosis on your own, anytime you wish.

Myth:

You can get stuck in hypnosis and can only get out with the help of a hypnotist.

Fact:

You can end hypnosis anytime you wish, on your own.

Myth:

People have to be very ‘suggestible’, ‘gullible’ or ‘hypnotizable’ for hypnosis to work

Fact:

Research suggests the majority of people can
benefit from hypnosis. Moreover, being hypnotized
or choosing to be open and responsive to
suggestions is a choice and only means that you
have the ability to use hypnosis
effectively. Being hypnotizable has nothing to do
with being gullible or weak willed.

Myth:

During hypnosis people are unconscious or asleep

Fact:

Far from being unconscious or asleep, people are
very conscious and aware during hypnosis. Although
occasionally some become so relaxed they may fall
asleep during hypnosis; the majority of people are
fully awake and alert. Research has shown the
brain of a hypnotized person to be very active
during hypnosis.

Myth:

All memories recovered during hypnosis are accurate

Fact:

Although hypnosis can be used to tap into
memories, there is no way to know for sure if the
memories one recovers in hypnosis are actual fact,
a mix of fact or simply a memory of something you
heard or thought happened, unless there is outside
evidence to support the memory. If you intend to
go to court, it is not advised to use hypnosis to
recover a memory you may have had about a illegal
event and/or where you were victimized as the
memory would be unlikely to be upheld in the
Supreme Court of Canada. Although OC&H does not
utilize hypnosis strictly to uncover/recover
memories, it is possible to tap into memories in
order to access inner resources and work through
the challenges you present in counseling/therapy.

Results and Benefits

Clinical hypnosis should only be conducted by a properly
trained and credentialed health care professional who has
specifically trained in hypnosis and is bound by a
professional body. Monica Wong has her Masters in Clinical
Social Work and is a registered social worker. She has
received over 30 hours of training with the Canadian
Federation of Clinical hypnosis and over 100 hours of
training with world-renowned clinical psychologist,
Dr.Yapko. She is also a certified HypnoBirthing®
instructor.

Overall, hypnosis has been demonstrated to have a wide
range of benefits, from simply improving symptoms or
difficulties, to completely eliminating them.Your sessions
at OCH will be a blend of counselling and personalized
hypnosis techniques that will help you reach your goals,
in part by helping you make connections at a deeper level,
change behaviors, access your resources when you need to
and learn new skills. After your session you will receive
a audio recording of your hypnosis session, which can help
you continue to learn and grow between sessions, as well
as help enhance your ability to go into hypnosis quicker
and deeper each time you listen to the recording and
practice hypnosis.

Contact
Ohana Counseling
to find out how hypnosis can help you and/or to book a
appointment.

What are client's saying about their experience of
hypnothearpy with Monica?

It was a pleasure meeting with you…. I can not tell you
how much I enjoyed it. Thank you again...I truly
appreciate it and look forward to having an audio copy of
the [hypnosis] session so I can keep practicing

*Sarah

It was nice meeting...I feel so much better even after one
session. I think this is going to be really good!! I can't
wait to get it [the hypnosis recording].

*Erika

*Names changed for confidentiality

Group Bookings

Looking for a unique, positive and relaxing event that can
have long-term positive benefits? Look no further. OCH
offers group bookings for organizations, corporations,
clinics as well as private functions. The booking
typically lasts an hour and involves time for Q&A about
hypnosis and a hypnosis session.

Group hypnosis sessions offered by OCH are not stage
hypnosis sessions. What's the difference you may ask?
Stage hypnosis is usually aimed at putting on a show, for
an audience. OCH group hypnosis sessions are aimed at
being therapeutic and relaxing. The hypnosis session can
target various topics ranging from stress reduction and
accessing inner strength and resources to relaxation and
team building. For more information and/or to book a group
hypnosis session please contact
Monica Wong.

Special Events

Infertility or Fertility?

The Joys and Challenges of Fertility

If you are struggling to conceive, infertility may be at the top of
your mind. Focusing on infertility can increase stress and anxiety,
which can contribute to difficulties conceiving. Although it can be
challenging not to focus on your fears and the possibility of
infertility, it is possible. Here at Ohana Counseling and
HypnoBirthing, fertility is the focus. Instead of working away from
what we don’t want, we focus on and work towards what we do want. We
can work through the challenges and experience the joy.

During your appointment you are given a time and place to be
supported, accepted and guided, while working on a positive fertility
journey. Counseling is a place for you to discuss and work through
your fears and worries, as well as your goals and hopes. Hypnotherapy
is a powerful tool that be used as part of this process; hypnosis is a
technique that can help you decrease, if not eliminate, your fears,
stress and worries, all which can impede fertility. Hypnosis allows
and teaches you how to relax your mind and body, to feel a sense of
peace and comfort, something that will help you while you try to
conceive. Moreover, hypnosis has been shown to double a couple’s
success rate when they are using IVF. Call or
e-mail
Monica today to set up your appointment.

Hypnosis and Fertility

How Does Hypnosis Help me to Conceive?

It is always important to have a medical check-up when you are having
trouble conceiving. Once you have your check-up, we can address many
of the factors that can help you conceive, such as your physical
health, as well as your psychological and emotional health. Stress and
unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking and excess weight, physiologically
impact your body and ability to conceive.

At Ohana Counseling and HypnoBirthing you will be able to sit down
with Monica and discuss the factors that can
impede fertility. You will understand how stress, worry and anxiety
and the activities we engage in, as a result of those feelings, can
impact fertility. Hypnosis has the amazing ability to address the
unconscious, as well as conscious, reasons we engage in these
activities. Not only can you address the symptoms of stress, anxiety
and worry, you can learn to address the reasons you have them. Once
you begin to balance yourself psychological and emotional, you have a
better chance of conceiving. Studies have shown that the success
rates of IVF are doubled when using hypnosis, compared to
IVF alone.
Whether you are choosing medical interventions, like IVF,
or alternative interventions, like acupuncture, hypnosis can help you
to reduce your stress and gain a sense of calm and confidence in
yourself and your ability to handle and work through your fertility
journey.

Fertility Appointment

Couples are encouraged to set up an initial appointment together, to
discuss their fertility journey, what they feel may be hindering it
and what could help it. A general assessment will be completed to
assess possible areas to be addressed. Once this is complete the
couple is encouraged to schedule individual appointments to address
their unique needs. Contact Monica today to
create positive possibilities and increase your ability to conceive.

FAQ

What will a fertility appointment look like and how long is it?

The initial consultation is 90 minutes and is geared for the couple. It will involve an initial assessment, a discussion of concerns and goals and a mini-hypnosis session, which will be recorded and given to the couple.

Every couple and individual is different, thus the amount of sessions needed vary. You are the one who decides how many sessions you’ll have. On average, you can expect 3-6 sessions. Some people may need less sessions, others more.

Do I have to use hypnosis?

No, counseling can address your concerns. Hypnosis and counseling together however, tend to be more powerful and help individuals address and work through issues quicker. Through hypnosis one can also learn instant relaxation techniques, which can be especially helpful before an IVF procedure.

What is HypnoBirthing®?

HypnoBirthing® - The Mongan Method was developed by Marie
Mongan, M.Ed., M.Hy.
Marie was inspired by hypnosis and used the theories of
two pioneers in natural childbirth. Marie was a pioneer
herself and had four children, all born in the late 1950s
and early 60s, without the use of medication. She is the
founder of HypnoBirthing (HB), and the
HypnoBirthing Institute,
which now has practitioners around the world.

HypnoBirthing® is both a philosophy and a practice. It
embraces the family from origins and pregnancy to birth
and beyond. The family is encouraged to be informed
parents and to reflect on the birthing experience they
desire and the environment they want to create for their
baby, before, during and after labour.

Through HB women and their partner’s learn how women's
bodies are made to birth. They also learn how fear,
tension and relaxation physiologically and psychologically
impact the sensations women feel during labor and
delivery. Mothers and their birthing companions are taught
how to reach an ultimate state of calm and relaxation, in
part through hypnosis, visualizations and special
breathing techniques, all which can aid in a calmer and
more comfortable birth and delivery. One study found women
taking HypnoBirthing had substantially less epidurals, IV
fluids, fewer C-sections and less babies with low birth
rate.

What do parents think of Monica's HypnoBirthing course?

"
Wonderful course, excellent instructor. I have
definitely gained confidence, knowledge and overall
feeling of comfort, I feel it will help me during birth
"

" Monica's Hypnosis and teaching styles were very effective (Soon to be dad of 3) "

Birth Stories

I've been blessed to work with couples during such an imporant time in their lives, and am honored to play a small role on their birth journeys. Below are some of their stories, which they have been kind enough to share. Please read on and be inspired about how empowering and beautiful births can be. Mahalo!

Baby Colby's Hospital Birth

On the morning of 40 weeks, I had a doctor appointment, and they basically told me that labour did not seem close…. the next day I decided to do some natural labour inducing techniques:….At about 10pm that night I realized that I was indeed having regular contractions and that I was beginning labour. I was excited! So I started my hypnobirthing techniques, and it was going great, except...
see story...

Hi Monica,

Bob and I are doing great... And very much enjoying life with our new little boy, Colby! He's 7 weeks old already and I've been meaning to email you for quite a while!...On the morning of 40 weeks, I had a doctor appointment, and they basically told me that labour did not seem close…. the next day I decided to do some natural labour inducing techniques:….At about 10pm that night I realized that I was indeed having regular contractions and that I was beginning labour. I was excited! So I started my hypnobirthing techniques, and it was going great, except….[for] my back, not a good sign….All this time I was using the hypnobirthing breathing and trying to maintain a relaxed state. The doula gave me a tip to change position to help turn the baby, as it seemed I was having back labour. It worked immediately!...then basically right away the contractions sped up! My water broke at about 2:30 or so, and at about 2:45am the doula suggested we head to the hospital….I was still feeling pretty good and in between contractions/[surges] I was very calm… When we got to the hospital Bob asked if I wanted to be dropped off at the front door or come park with him, and I said I was fine to park with him. We really weren't rushing! We headed up to the labour unit and were checked in at about 3:15am. Since it was my first baby, and I looked fairly calm, the nurses in triage seemed in no rush either….Anyways, as soon as they took a look they realized I was fully dialated (!!) and having the baby right away! So they rushed my into the delivery room. ...Bob showed them our birth plan, bless him! The nurse kept telling me to push but I was stubbornly just using my j breath through the contractions … Bob... asked them if it was 'medically necessary’ [to change birthing technique] ...Luckily I only had to push through 2 contractions with the vacuum and then out slid Colby (with cord wrapped around neck, hence heart rate). So, we had arrived at the hospital at 3:15am and Colby arrived at 4:15...He was healthy and latched right away, and the hospital staff allowed us a good 30 minutes to snuggle skin to skin ...all in all it was a really good experience…. I was glad that we stayed at home so that I could be relaxed and comfortable for as long as possible. The doula did make it, just in time. I truly think the hypnobirthing techniques helped make the labour so comfortable that we didn't feel the urge to go to the hospital earlier! So thank you so much for your course. I practised all throughout my pregnancy, which also helped me stay relaxed, focused and I slept great.

Beautiful, pain-free Homebirth

One week later, I gave birth to our baby girl, and the experience was peaceful, painless and empowering. It was exactly what I had hoped for. I can't thank Monica enough...
see story...

I came to Monica after having a difficult practice labour that left me intimidated and in need of a new outlook. Her consultation, words of wisdom, and visualization techniques completely transformed my way of looking at the birth. One week later, I gave birth to our baby girl, and the experience was peaceful, painless and empowering. It was exactly what I had hoped for. I can't thank Monica enough for contributing her skill and wisdom. It truly made all the difference.

Grace’s Beautiful Homebirth

2 days past her due date. On the 12th day we decided to induce with a castor oil concoction given by the midwives, which was actually pretty effective. There were slight surges as a result, which seem to have ...
see story...

Grace was born 12 days past her due date. On the 12th day we decided to induce with a castor oil concoction given by the midwives, which was actually pretty effective. There were slight surges as a result, which seem to have dissipated. However, when the midwives came to check on the baby's status the surges were apparently quite strong, I simply could only feel my abdomen getting tight from the outside, but nothing internal. Pretty awesome!

In my view the labour lasted 3 hours which included 10 minutes of breathing down; the breathing down was pretty intense but bearable. I was oddly conscious the entire time and could hear and process everything...this was the first time with all three births that I felt so present...Grace was 9 lbs 3oz ...Everything went really smoothly. [My husband] couldn't believe how effortless it seemed. Although I must say, I felt there was effort on my part. He said it was a relief that everything went so well and so quickly. I also found Colin putting his hand on my shoulder during surges ( i.e. the shoulder anchor you taught in class) really helped me relax. It was quite something!

Baby is now 7 days old and both of us are doing great. She is sleeping really well, but of course the two year old likes to get up at 5:30 am so she cancels out Grace's excellent sleep patterns, lol. Thank God for HypnoMothering that's all I have to say. Thank you so much Monica for sharing your gift with us; the experience proved itself invaluable!!!

Baby Mya's Hospital Birth

everything went smoothly, I pushed [breathed] out Mya without aid and I wouldn't changed a thing, we had an amazing experience at the hospital. Second we are so glad we took the course and have no regrets!! You helped me get through pregnancy relaxed and with confidence...
see story...

Hi Monica,

I realize I never sent you an update so here goes. First off we did not end up having a [completely] natural hypnobirth…[However], everything went smoothly, I pushed [breathed] out Mya without aid and I wouldn't changed a thing, we had an amazing experience at the hospital. Second we are so glad we took the course and have no regrets!! You helped me get through pregnancy relaxed and with confidence. We knew what to expect throughout the birth and how to approach things calmly. I've already recommended your class... We've been blessed with an incredibly easy baby whose already had lots of sleepovers at grandma's and puts herself to sleep. As a result baby number 2 is on the way...Again thank you so much for everything, we couldn't have done it without you.

Baby Maya's Homebirth

I woke Ryan at 3 am to run me a bath & time my contractions because they felt very close together. They were 45 seconds, 5 min apart so he called the midwife.

The midwife arrived, observed one of my contractions and told me that if I was in real labour I would be making more noise and would be in more pain then I appeared to be in. She said she would not even check me because...
see story...

Hi Monica,

Ryan & I are thrilled to have our beautiful baby Maya. I'm happy to tell you that the hypno birthing method helped ease me through the birthing experience. Contractions started Wednesday evening, they were on average 10 min apart for about 16 hours then stopped on Thursday afternoon. I ate and rested for a short time before they started again on Thursday evening. Ryan rested because he and our doula had been up with me the night before, I woke Ryan at 3 am to run me a bath & time my contractions because they felt very close together. They were 45 seconds, 5 min apart so he called the midwife.

The midwife arrived, observed one of my contractions and told me that if I was in real labour I would be making more noise and would be in more pain then I appeared to be in. She said she would not even check me because she thought I would only be 3 cm dilated. By 6:30 am I had Ryan call the doula who came, and called the midwife back within the hour because I had contractions 2 min apart for 45 seconds. The midwife again said I didn't appear to be in labour, she checked me & I was 8 cm dilated. The midwives broke my water at 2 pm to accelerate my labour. Maya was born on our couch at 4:20 pm.

I was very happy with my birth experience & I would recommend hypno birthing to all pregnant ladies.

Baby Ava's Hospital Birth

Initially, we planned on having a [elective] Caesarian section for the birth of our daughter. We felt it was safer and more predictable than a natural birth. The Hypnobirthing class, [which welcomes those with different birth plans] was recommended by my doctor; it helped us change our minds. It was through this course where I realized...
see story...

Initially, we planned on having a [elective] Caesarian section for the birth of our daughter. We felt it was safer and more predictable than a natural birth. The Hypnobirthing class, [which welcomes those with different birth plans] was recommended by my doctor; it helped us change our minds. It was through this course where I realized a natural birth is not only possible, but would truly be better for my baby.

Thanks to the exercises I learned during the course, my labour went so well. What a beautiful, sacred and meaningful experience. Through the breathing and relaxation exercises learned in class, I was able to get to 7cm before the [walking] epidural (which I knew I wanted before I left home). Even after the injection, I [was able to still feel and move] and relied heavily on my hypnobirthing skills right up to [and through] the birth. I was able to remain calm and focused throughout labour an delivery.

Thank you again for your wonderful course. Our baby, Ava, was 6lb 10oz and 19.5 inches long. She's perfect. We thank God over and over again for her.

Baby Charles-Louis's Waterbirth

Our son, Charles-Louis, came over the weekend, born on Nov 7th at 6:55 pm at 7 lb, 11 oz. It was one amazing experience and the self-hypnosis worked like a charm -very calm, peaceful and relaxed throughout the whole thing! My day started at 7:30 when I felt what I thought was practice labour while dozing in bed. Half asleep, I...
see story...

Story from mommy:

Dear Monica,

Our son, Charles-Louis, came over the weekend, born on Nov 7th at 6:55 pm at 7 lb, 11 oz. It was one amazing experience and the self-hypnosis worked like a charm -very calm, peaceful and relaxed throughout the whole thing! My day started at 7:30 when I felt what I thought was practice labour while dozing in bed. Half asleep, I practiced my surge breathing. This went on for an hour, at which point, Antoine told me to get up and try changing my activity to see if it would change the frequency of the surges. At this point, my water broke and I knew baby was on his way! We let our doula and midwives know and then we went about our normal Saturday morning when I was in early onset of labour; we walked the dogs and went out to get breakfast. With each surge, I would just breathe and visualize and Antoine began giving me verbal hypnotic suggestions through each surge. Eventually things starts to pick up and I had a bath at home while Antoine let the midwives and doula know that we were moving up to the birthing centre. Once at the centre, the midwives checked my progress and were positively shocked to see how advanced I was. They had told me that based on how I was acting/talking/staying so calm they figured I was only 2cm along but it turned out I was 8cm!

Overall, it was a 6 hour labour and birth, only 45 minutes of breathing the baby down. Antoine did the verbal suggestions and I did imaginary through the whole process and these were very effective. Between birth breaths, I would smile and feel my son's head and maybe make a little joke or laugh. I did end up pushing three times right at the very end, mostly because I got impatient wanting to meet our little guy but it turned out to be no more effective than birth breathing, but Antoine let me know that it was my final birth breathes that finally birthed our son. It was such an amazing experience and I can honestly say I didn't feel pain. I was super pleased that the midwives let me do my own thing and didn't tell me to push at any time. I had no complications at all. The midwives also commented that they were super impressed that the baby's heart rate never once increased during the labour or birth, a testament to how well the self-hypnosis works!

I want to personally thank you so much for giving Antoine and I the knowledge we needed to experience the birth of our son in such a peaceful and wonderful way. Not only did you teach us the techniques for hypnosis but in addition, you empowered us to advocate for our preferences. I can't thank you enough :).

Thanks Monica!! Let's touch base in a week or two about a visit :).

Anna

Story from daddy:

Hi Monica,

First of all I want to thank you, Anna's birthing experience was amazing - her experience was very much like what we saw in videos and read about, calm, serene and complication free. She literally made it seem like it's really not that bad.....almost the first words she said afterward was just that: "Wow, it really wasn't that bad, not sure what all the fuss is about."

She credits it 100% to the hypno birthing…

Prior to labour, Anna and I would practice the depthometer, Lavender, etc..and these were great, especially for "helping to bring her down"....Ultimately, [in labor] I ended up spending about 15 minutes helping her enter relaxation, then several hours just feeding suggestions….[and] improvising... it was an amazing experience... thanks again!

Baby Austin Everest Avery's Hospital Birth

I was very overdue and escaped an induction (…At the hospital I refused Cervadel)….I used acupuncture to induce my labour….and had contractions 10 minutes after the appointment was over as I was driving home. Once the labour started, I progressed very quickly and laboured at home for 5 hours using the hypno birthing techniques...
see story...

Dear Monica,

I just wanted to share our birth news. We welcomed Austin Everest Avery, 8lbs 6ozs 19.5 inches on August 11th at 5:06 am. I was very overdue and escaped an induction (…At the hospital I refused Cervadel)….I used acupuncture to induce my labour….and had contractions 10 minutes after the appointment was over as I was driving home. Once the labour started, I progressed very quickly and laboured at home for 5 hours using the hypno birthing techniques. We arrived at the hospital at 10:30 with contractions 2-3minutes apart lasting for over a minute. The hospital staff kept remarking at how fast I was progressing for a first time momma. I ended up getting an epidural [near] the end ...They let me do body directed pushing/[breathing]...my epidural only numbed my stomach. I had pins and needles in my legs but had full mobility to squat and walk if I needed to. Over all, south health campus staff were amazing! Happy mother and fatherhood!

Healthy Baby Boy’s Hospital Birth

Hypnobirthing certainly helped me go through the 53 hours of labour from my water breaking to finally meeting our little guy and I know will help me for so many other things…...
see story...

Hi Monica,

…We welcomed to the world our little bundle of joy… early on Sunday morning, 7.7 pounds and 22 inches. After close to 48 hours of my water breaking we decided to go to the hospital to get an induction which ended up being a good thing given some serious complications. We couldn’t have pictured a more different birth but given all the circumstances, we were very lucky to all be home and healthy. Our midwife was the best thing that happened to us!

...All is good now and we’re settling quite nicely. All in all, it’s been a very beautiful and peaceful birth and we have no regrets for some tough decisions that had to be made along the way….

Hypnobirthing certainly helped me go through the 53 hours of labour from my water breaking to finally meeting our little guy and I know will help me for so many other things…

Thorin’s Incredible Home to Hospital Birth

Our son Thorin Victor was born on Dec 3 at 11 days over due at 7 lbs 7 oz! It did not go as planned but was incredibly empowering:). We ended up in the hospital because of a few concerns the midwives had...
see story...

Hi Monica! Well this is too long over due but I wanted to let you know as I am sure you guessed we had our baby! Our son Thorin Victor was born on Dec 3 at 11 days over due at 7 lbs 7 oz! It did not go as planned but was incredibly empowering:). We ended up in the hospital because of a few concerns the midwives had and it turns out we made the right decision to go because there was meconium in the amniotic fluid. They did induce by rupturing my membranes which wasn't ideal but the better option than medical induction. My labor was 1 hr and 48 mins with about 3 pushes and we met our son! Since it was so fast we didn't get to use all of the hypno birthing techniques we wanted but I know that without the course I wouldn't not have had the confidence in my body and the relaxation to birth the way I wanted. It was another incredible experience for us and we are so grateful to have learned everything from your class!

If you are up for the journey to our place again we would love to have you come and meet our little man!

HypnoBirthing Saved Me & Helped Me through my C-Section

We had a very eventful birth … Hypnobirthing was literally the only thing that saved me!

30 hours of natural labour (hypnobirthing was awesome for this.). Followed by 8 hours of pitocin induced labour...
see story...

Monica,

We had a very eventful birth … Hypnobirthing was literally the only thing that saved me!

30 hours of natural labour (hypnobirthing was awesome for this.). Followed by 8 hours of pitocin induced labour (after 2 hours ..[it] was much too much, had to get epidural.). First epidural failed and it took them an hour to believe me. I used the hypnobirthing techniques throughout that hour and it did help, but more for keeping me calm…Second epidural worked, got to 10 centimeters and pushed for 3 hours. Due to all that reduced mobility though we couldn't get baby into the right position. Eventually heart rate started to drop and they had to do an emergency c-section. Going into the operating room, and during the c-section I used the hypnobirthing techniques again to stay calm, and it made all the difference in the world.

Of all our plans and preparations nothing was even close to as dependable and useful as the hypnobirthing techniques we learned and practiced.

Your class was the best thing we did, thank you so much!....

Very Happy Hypnobirthing Students & New Mom & Dad

P.S. [from Dad]

Mom uses the Deepening script techniques frequently now even for stressful non-birth situations and it's been very helpful. :)

Baby Ava’s Serene Waterbirth

Around 2 a.m. I could no longer sleep and walked around the house, tidying, breathing and then finally waking my husband a couple hours later to let him know I was fairly certain this was the beginning of our birth journey.

Around 6 a.m. I felt the surges increasing in strength and length. I played my HypnoBirthing tracks, woke my mom up to let her know and started the bath. She was ready to head back to bed, figuring it was still early, until she heard the water running...
see story...

My daughter loves to hear stories at bedtime. Recently she’s been asking for stories/recaps of recent events. I was surprised and delighted when she recently began asking me to tell her the story of when her baby sister was born; a birth she witnessed. She smiles as I recount the events that lead up to the birth, when she discovered she had a little sister (we decided not to find out ahead of time). She adores her baby sister, as does her little brother. She loves hearing the story; we both love it, so I thought I’d share it with you, albeit a longer version but also a fuller one. Take some time, sit down, relax and hopefully enjoy reading the birth as much as I enjoyed experiencing it. Mahalo!

Once upon a time…I sat on our couch with my mother and husband when I began to feel my first twinge. I had acupuncture that night, not to induce but to get my body ready. I smiled at the sensation and shared the news. I didn’t yet chalk it up to labor as my body had begun warming up for weeks. Around 12 a.m I felt some more twinges; I decided to head to bed. I would need the rest, especially if this birth was as long as my first two (23-27 hours). Around 2 a.m. I could no longer sleep and walked around the house, tidying, breathing and then finally waking my husband a couple hours later to let him know I was fairly certain this was the beginning of our birth journey.

Around 6 a.m. I felt the surges increasing in strength and length. I played my HypnoBirthing tracks, woke my mom up to let her know and started the bath. She was ready to head back to bed, figuring it was still early, until she heard the water running. We chatted about this birth progressing, her feeling it was early, but me feeling I was farther along, much farther, sooner, than my other two births. My husband and mother timed the surges to see if they were getting closer together, to confirm what I knew, I was indeed in real labor. My mother lovingly stayed by me, doing hip compressions as I had a bit of back labor/sore back. I slipped into the tub, had my hypnosis tracks, ocean waves and birth music played. My husband stayed near the tub, doing a few hypnotic suggestions here and there as I laid back and breathed with the surges and relaxed in between. I had given myself hypnotic suggestions during my labor about relaxing as labor progressed and indeed I did! In between the intensity of the surges I would be utterly and completely relaxed. It helped to float in the water and watch the full moon from the window near my tub. In between surges I relaxed, chatted, stayed hydrated and smiled. This was it, my baby was coming soon!

We called the midwife, who felt it was still early after talking to me, but agreed to slowly make her way over. By the time she came I was already 6 cm dilated, less then 2 hours later I began to feel my body work on releasing the baby. I watched the full moon go from being embraced by the dark, to welcoming the light and soon, my baby. With the light, my body released the water that held my baby; very soon after, I began to really breath down my baby. There was no pain, just focus, sensation and intensity. My 2nd baby’s birthing stage was very quick so after awhile of birth breathing the midwife checked and discovered there was still 1 cm left to dilate. No wonder I thought, as I had expected to already meet my baby.

My flash of frustration turned to focus as I took some arnica, changed position and breathed through the birth surges, allowing that last cm to dilate before bearing down once more. After a couple surges, I felt my baby would arrive soon; I called my daughter back in the room (she was there when the baby began to descend but had left for a bit). After a surge, I explained to her what mommy was doing and how the sounds mommy made helped bring baby down (low vocalizing can help with moving baby…this is a instinctual, releasing vs yelling/screaming). My birth music played and I smiled.

Then the room quieted, right before the baby made her entrance. I felt her move down me, felt her body, felt her head, felt life coming through me. I was excited and happy, yet focused, I would meet my baby soon! A few birth breaths later, my baby emerged into the water. My husband received her and she was quickly put on my chest. Upon announcing it was a girl, my daughter squealed with delight, ‘I have a baby sister!’….She had her sister and I had my 2nd baby girl and 2nd beautiful water birth. Her little brother came in the room shortly after, excited, albeit perhaps a little disappointed it wasn’t a baby boy.

In the end, the birth was a family celebration, a celebration of life.….What a blessing, a beautiful birthright, to be able to bring life into this world, with my family around me. I loved my birth; it wasn’t necessarily because it was quick (9 hours), and fairly smooth, but because it was peaceful and beautiful and relaxing and intense, and wonderful. I get teary eyed at times thinking of it all, how grateful and thankful I am and what a privilege I feel it is to have shared this experience with my daughter, for her to see how beautiful, natural and wonderful birth is. If I am blessed down the road to have a 4th, I look forward to the birth with joy, to add what I learned from this birth and to implement even more of the wonderful techniques HypnoBirthing and hypnosis has to offer.

HypnoBirthing® Course

Click here
to see a overview of what is covered in this amazing empowering course
(please note the OCH HypnoBirthing course is covered in 6 sessions vs 5 ).

Length of Course

The course is held over 6 weeks in NW Calgary. Each group is 2 hours long
and is typically held on a weeknight. Each session offers great
information, time for questions and opportunities to experience
and practice techniques.

Great class last night! I'm really excited about using hypnobirthing to have a natural birth.

When is the next course?

The next HypnoBirthing Group begins on
Wednesday Aug 08, 2018.
Please contact
Monica
for more details. Mahalo!

Packages

HypnoBirthing is the most effective method one could
employ in order to have the most positive birth experience
possible!!

(Soon to be mama of 3)

Hypnobirthing with Monica was a wonderful experience and
has left us feeling confident and relaxed about our upcoming
birth!

Kyle & Kimberly, 1st time parents

10/10, would hypno again. In all seriousness, this
course was far more useful and empowering than I had anticipated.
The difference in my confidence is massive, and although the birth
still seems daunting, I no longer feel any sense of true fear or
worry. Monica, as an instructor, was exceptional. I could not
imagine a more knowledgeable, competent, warm and professional
presentation. She deserves all the credit that can be given.

*Contact
Monica Wong
to book your own HypnoBirthing introduction session

FAQ for HypnoBirthing®

The Mongan Method

What is the cost for the group?

The rate of $400 plus GST includes 12 hours of
instruction, helpful handouts, the HypnoBirthing® book and
a hypnosis/affirmation practice CD.

**** Check to see if your insurance company has a flex
plan or covers social work services. If so, your insurance company
may cover most, if not all of the course (private or group)!

Am I able to take the course privately instead of in a group?

Yes, private courses are offered. The cost of a private
course is offered on a sliding scale ($1200-1600). Private
courses include a bonus 1-hour session where we will focus
on a topic of your choosing. Possible areas of focus
include, hypnosis around releasing fear release, hypnosis
techniques paired with breathing and anchoring and working
on a individualized birth. The course can be offered in
your home free of cost if you live within Calgary.

Do you offer private sessions after the group course?

Yes, private session are offered and can focus on
techniques, hypnosis, and birth plans, amongst other
concerns. The cost is offered on a sliding fee from $120
to $160 an hour.

Where are the group classes offered?

Group classes are offered in NW Calgary. There is a there
is an additional time and travel fee if you are located
outside of Calgary and wish for the course to be offered
in your home. If you reside outside of Calgary and have
two other couple’s wishing to take the course with you
then there would only be an additional cost for travel. If
you have 3 or more couples who wish to take the course
with you and you reside in Airdrie there is no additional
travel or travel fee.

Can the course be offered in my home?

Private and group classes can be held in your home free of
charge if you are located in North West Calgary. The NW
area includes areas like Royal Oak, Sherwood, Kincora,
Sage Hill, Evanston, Hidden Valley, Coventry Hills,
Panorama, Sandstone and Edgemont. If you are located more
than 20 minutes outside the NW zone there is a $20
travelling fee per session.

I have friends interested in the course, is there an incentive program if my friends sign up with me?

Yes, if you have two other couples that register to take
the course with you, then you will receive a $30 gift card
for BabiesRUs or Bo bebe. If you refer a friend to the
course and they register, you will receive a $15 gift card
for BabiesRUs or Bo bebe. If you start a group with two
other couples and reside within Calgary the course can be
offered at one (or all) of your homes free of charge.

How long is the course?

The group course is held over 6 weeks. Each week there is
a two hour session packed with great information and
opportunities to experience and practice techniques.

When is the next group?

Typically groups will be offered every 7-8 weeks and are
held during a weeknight. Please contact
Monica
to find out the start date of the next group.

What is HypnoMothering?

HypnoMothering was developed by two hypnotherapists, each a mother of
twins. It is a 2.5-3hr class for Mommy-to-be and New Mom’s. It can be
taken either pre-natally or post-natally. Its focus is to help ease
ones transition into motherhood by offering a supportive, fun and
helpful group, which teaches techniques to address areas such as lack
of sleep, keeping calm and balanced on challenging days, creating
support, bonding and more!

How does Hypnosis help with motherhood?

All hypnosis is self-hypnosis and can be used to help with many issues new mom’s face. HypnoMothering can help with:

Hypnotic Time Distortion for Sleep: Whether you have five minutes or five hours to catch some rest, hypnosis helps your mind and body make the most of the sleep you have.

Connection to Baby: Hypnosis helps a mother tune in to her baby and her own natural instincts.

Who is HypnoMothering for?

The original HypnoMothering program was created for expectant moms and new moms (meaning a mom who has a child anywhere from one month to 24 months). There is a preschool age program, however, that course is not yet taught at OCH.

S.W. Location and Parking

Add map here!

Ohana Counseling & HypnoBirthing
(S.W. Location)

1813 - 8th Street S.W.
Calgary, Alberta T2T 2Z2

Ohana Counseling and HypnoBirthing Southwest is conveniently and
centrally located within a comfortable turn-of-the-century
bungalow in Mount Royal just south of downtown Calgary. The office
is easily accessible by public transit. The number 13 bus
stops on the east, and west sides, of 8th Street.

There is free parking right outside the door on 8th Street,
with additional free parking on 19th Avenue.

N.W. Location

Add map here!

Ohana Counseling & HypnoBirthing
(N.W. Location)

4625 Varsity Dr N.W.
Calgary, Alberta T3A 0X9

Ohana Counseling and HypnoBirthing Northhwest is located within the
Renewal Homeopathic Clinic near Varsity Drive.

About Monica

Monica Wong, MSW, RSW was raised on the island of
Oahu. Although no longer living in Hawaii, Monica brings
with her the spirit of Aloha and dedication to helping
others to Calgary. She is a trained therapist and
counselor and a registered social worker with the Alberta
College of Social Workers. She has received her bachelors
in Social Work and her Masters in Clinical Social
Work. Although Monica has an interest in working with
individuals of all ages, she is particularly fond of
working with couples and has attended various workshops
focused on couple’s work (i.e. the use of brief sex
therapy and emotion focused therapy for couples). Her
master’s research focused on pre-marital couples and her
article on strengthening connections in interracial
marriages was published in the international journal,
Contemporary Family Therapy

Monica has worked with adults with and without
developmental disabilities, children as young as 5 and
adults as young as 75. Her work with not-for-profits gave
her the opportunity to work with a diverse population,
whose difficulties may have ranged from divorce and
depression to anxiety and trauma. Not only has Monica
worked with individuals, couples and families, she has
also coordinated and developed psycho-social and
therapeutic groups, with topics ranging from relationships
to self-esteem.

Although Monica utilizes various therapy modalities in
counseling, she has a special interest in the use of
clinical hypnosis and hypnosis for childbirth. She has
received over 30 hours in training in Calgary with the
Canadian Federation of Clinical hypnosis and over 100
hours of training with world-renowned clinical
psychologist, Dr. Yapko.

Monica first became interested in utilizing hypnosis, for
childbirth, when taking an undergraduate psychology
course. After reading the book, HypnoBirthing-The Mongan
Method, she was so interested in learning more about
HypnoBirthing®
that six months after her daughter was born she flew to
Toronto in order to become a certified HypnoBirthing®
instructor. Monica has had personal experience with the
techniques and utilized aspects of HypnoBirthing when she
gave birth to her son in the comfort of her own home.

Monica is passionate about helping people and welcomes the
opportunity to work with you. Feel free to
e-mail
or
call with any questions you may have.